OUR TEAM

Throughout its more than 50-year history, the Michigan Federation for Children and Families has evolved and adapted to numerous unique and significant changes affecting the nonprofit sector in the wake of ever- changing political environments. The Federation has provided a collective and expert voice on behalf of its members to influence federal, state, and local public policy decisions—both legislative and administrative.

The Federation is at the forefront of advocacy efforts and action toward child welfare reform in Michigan. Our input and feedback to leadership of the Whitmer Administration, members of the Michigan Legislature, and officials within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has been sought out, respected, and acted upon.

Our common connection is shared responsibility for our communities, and member involvement is vital to our progress and achievements.

  • Janet Reynolds Snyder

    PRESIDENT/CEO

  • Kadi Prout

  • Elizabeth Henderson

    DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND RESEARCH

  • Rose Homa

    DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS

  • Jenny Crichton

    DIRECTOR OF MEMBER RELATIONS AND EVENTS

  • Janet Reynolds Snyder, MBA

    PRESIDENT / CEO

    Janet Reynolds Snyder leads the Federation’s policy and advocacy efforts on behalf of member agencies and the communities they serve. She collaborates closely with all branches of state government—executive, judicial and legislative—to coordinate efforts, strategy and policy in order to best advance positive changes for children and families throughout Michigan. Janet organizes expert legislative testimony on issues of importance to member agencies and the families they serve and also sits on a wide variety of statewide task forces and advisory teams.

    Janet is connected nationally with the major human services advocacy organizations such as Social Current, Child Welfare League of America, National Association for Children's Behavioral Health, and the Association of Children's Residential & Community Services. Janet also serves as an officer of the National Organization of State Associations for Children, a national organization made up of state associations that advocate and provide leadership on national public policy issues that impact children and families throughout the country.

    Janet earned her MBA from Spring Arbor University and her Bachelor’s in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan. Additionally, she earned a Mediation Certification from the Michigan State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) and completed the Domestic Violence Screening Training for Mediators also through SCAO. Janet has served as executive director of the Federation since 2008 and brings to the Federation 30 years of extensive advocacy skills and knowledge of both the child welfare system and private nonprofit human services sector.

  • Kadi Prout, LMSW

    Kadi Prout works closely with the Executive Director and collaborates with team members to ensure organizational effectiveness and is responsible for developing strategies to support implementation of the Federation's mission, vision, and values through organizational and operational plans. Kadi’s work in preparing reports and position papers for use in advocacy efforts on behalf of Federation members is essential to the advancement of the Federation’s policy, advocacy, and budget priorities.

    Kadi facilitates maximum impact of the organization and Federation member agencies in the program and service area Member Interest Networks (MINs) of: family preservation; residential treatment and juvenile justice; equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI); and the Race Equity Data Workgroup. Kadi supports the Federation’s work in creating a family-focused child welfare system that integrates a two-generation (2Gen) approach to family well-being and works collectively to build a statewide high-quality continuum of care that supports children, caregivers, and communities.

    Kadi also works to support and identify opportunities for innovative partnerships involving the public and private sectors, universities, and foundations to advance Federation outreach and collaboration. Kadi coordinates with outside partners to identify areas of common work and consensus and to advocate collectively for positive change for children and families.

    Kadi has served on the Michigan Federation for Children and Families staff since 2009. Kadi holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Central Michigan University, a Master of Social Work from Michigan State University, and is a licensed macro-level social worker through the State of Michigan.

  • Elizabeth Henderson, LLMSW

    DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND RESEARCH

    Elizabeth works closely with the Federation team and member organizations to analyze current and proposed federal and state policy and legislation related to child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, prevention, and family preservation services delivered by community-based organizations and its effect on the well-being of individuals, children, youth, and families. Elizabeth manages the Federation's day-to-day policy and advocacy work, and leads and contributes to development and implementation of Federation projects and events.

    Elizabeth facilitates maximum impact of the organization and Federation member agencies in the program and service area Member Interest Networks (MINs) of: foster care and youth; licensing; adoption; and behavioral health and clinical services. Elizabeth also supports the Federation’s work related to the protective factors framework, implementing educational opportunities and engagement to build protective factors to strengthen families.

    Elizabeth brings a wealth of child welfare experience from both Michigan's Executive and Judicial branches of state government, having previously been employed as a court analyst at the Michigan Supreme Court’s State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), Child Welfare Services Division. Prior to her work at SCAO, Elizabeth worked at MDHHS as a foster care worker, Children’s Protective Services investigator, and adoption assistance analyst. Elizabeth values the work and services of community organizations.

    Elizabeth has served on the Michigan Federation for Children and Families staff since 2021. Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Family Community Services and a Master of Social Work from Michigan State University. During her MSW program, Elizabeth participated in MSU School of Social Work's Advocacy Scholars program and interned at the Michigan Federation for Children and Families.

  • Rose Homa

    DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS

    Rose Homa provides staff support to administrative and agency operations-focused Member Interest Networks (MINs) in the areas of human resources, performance-quality management, staff training and development, and business-finance, including coordination and facilitation of MIN meetings, networking, communications, lunch-and-learn opportunities, training workshops, seminars, and annual conferences.

    Rose provides administrative support for the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, and Ad Hoc Committees of the Board as needed. She is responsible for the development and oversight of the annual budget, maintenance of the financial records, payroll, financial reporting, tax filings and grant reporting. She works closely with the executive director, treasurer, and audit firm to assure the organization's finances are well tended.

    Rose oversees the biennial development, compilation and reporting of the private nonprofit human service agencies’ compensation data, one of the most-sought-after resources specific to private nonprofit human service agencies in Michigan.

    Rose provides graphic design services for conference and training brochures, programs, and sponsor signage as well as reports, handbooks, directories, and promotional materials.

    Rose joined the Federation staff in 1978.

  • Jenny Crichton, GMS

    DIRECTOR OF MEMBER RELATIONS & EVENTS

    Jenny Crichton handles the full spectrum of communication to Federation members. She develops and maintains the Federation’s extensive membership database, website resources, and conference/events apps.

    Jenny handles all logistics, registrations, and set-up for quarterly meetings of the Federation Board of Directors and numerous Member Interest Networks (MINs), plus periodic workshops, trainings and seminars and their planning committee meetings. She takes the lead in coordinating all details related annual senior management conference, and she coordinates the logistics, registration, set-up, day-of and follow-up responsibilities related to the annual residential treatment conference, family preservation conference and other events as scheduled.

    Jenny initiates connections with prospective Federation member organizations, processes membership applications, and engages new member agency leaders and staff members once the agencies' membership is approved, ensuring they are welcomed and facilitating their involvement in the Federation activities that best meet their needs.

    Jenny also generates and issues membership dues statements and invoices, assists with financial record keeping, maintains appropriate supplies and equipment and nurtures relationships with vendors and Corporate Sponsors.

    Jenny joined the Federation staff in 1997.